Dear Friends,

11 Apr 2002, The Urban Community Mission (UCM) in Indonesia has sent a request for action in relation to a factory that produces for the Gap. UCM reports that 10 workers at PT Thrive and Satisfy Busana Jaya Bekasi (known as PT T&S Busana Jaya) have been on strike since March 12th, 2002 in relation to a variety of issues.

Based on interviews with workers that took place March 22nd and 27th, UCM reports that workers at this facility have experienced verbal harassment, excessive overtime (ex. shifts from 7:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. the following day) for which they are not properly compensated, and difficulties in getting time off due to illness or other circumstances. During a meeting held on March 4, 2002, UCM reports that workers (including three pregnant women) were forced to squat for one hour. The workers also pressed for back wages owed based on the January 2002 increase in the minimum wage, which had not been implemented. UCM reports that management rejected their demand, made March 12th for payment of what was owed for the past two months and instead asked them to sign letters of resignation. The minimum wage in their region was Rp. 426,000/month, but was raised to Rp. 575,000 in January 2002.

UCM notes that several of these conditions are clear violations of the Gap Code of Conduct (specifically the sections of the code that stipulate standards on wages and hours and on working conditions). UCM requests that individuals and organizations contact the Gap and ask them to investigate these matters and urge their supplier to respect workers rights. UCM reports that PT T&S Busana Jaya produces Gap products for export to Japan, Canada, Europe and the United States.

Fax Donald Fisher, Gap Chairman and Millard Drexler, Gap CEO at:
+1-415-427-7037 and ask them to investigate these problems, enforce the Gap code of conduct and respect local minimum wage laws.

Additional factory information:

The total workforce at PT T&S Busana Jaya is approx. 554 (majority women).There is no union.

PT T&S Busana Jaya
Jl. Raya Bekasi Km. 28
Medan Satria
Bekasi Utara - Jawa Barat
Indonesia
Tel. +62-21-885-5355

For more information on this case, please contact UCM, e-mail:
ucm@jakarta.wasantara.net.id

Clean Clothes Campaign
PO Box 11584
1001 GN Amsterdam
The Netherlands
tel: + 31 20 4122785
fax: + 31 20 4122786
e-mail:info@cleanclothes.org